Paperboard dispenser for tape

ABSTRACT

A tape dispenser is constructed from a sheet of paperboard having integral flaps partially coated with latex or other selfsealing adhesive, the coated parts being out of registry until the dispenser is set up when they are brought into registry to form a reinforcing wall and a spindle for the tape, means for cutting the tape being supported by a stiffening insert in a compartment formed at one end of the paperboard dispenser.

Uited States Patent [1 1 Malcolm PAPERBOARD DISPENSER FOR TAPE [76] Inventor: James A. Malcolm, l lngleside Drive,

Downsview, Ontario, Canada [22] Filed: Feb. 4, 1971 [21] Appl. No.: 112,713

[52] US. Cl 225/47, 225/48, 225/53 [51] Int. Cl B26f 3/02 [58] Field of Search 225/47, 48, 49, 53,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS H1962 Perkins 225/48 X 5/1958 Dunning 5/1961 Gadiel 225/47 [45] July 3,1973

2.309.396 l/l943 Jackson 225/47 X Primary Examiner-Andrew R. .luhasz Assistant Examiner-Leon Gilden Attorney--Maybee & Legris [57] ABSTRACT 6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUL 3 I975 3.743.151

SNEEI 2 0f 2 FIG. 6

FIG. 5

INVENTOR. JAM ES Av MALCOLM BY WW ATTORNEYS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a paperboard container which can be used as a tape dispenser for dispensing cellulose, masking and other types of adhesive tape.

2. Description of the Prior Art Cellulose and other adhesive tapes are marketed in rolls, sometimes in a dispenser having a spindle on which the roll is mounted and also having a cutter over which a length of tape can be pulled from the roll and then severed. Dispensers sold with the rolls should be inexpensive, and paperboard dispensers have been used, but have certain disadvantages. Such dispensers have tended to be flimsy, or awkward to set up or load or handle, or may be suited for use only with rolls of certain widths, or may be provided with enclosing walls which, though helping to stiffen the dispensers, impede access to the tape.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a tape dispenser that has a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls, but that does not require top or bottom walls: therefore it is not difficult to fish out the end of the tape if it breaks between the cutter and the roll. At one end the dispenser may be provided with a compartment having an insert which serves both to resist deformation of the dispenser and to support the cutter. To provide an intermediate wall, which serves as a spindle for the roll of tape, the side walls have inwardly extending flaps with at least parts of their inner faces coated with self-sealing adhesive so that the flaps can be stuck to each other. By the term self-sealing adhesive is meant an adhesive having the characteristic that it will bond together two surfaces only if both surfaces are coated with the adhesive, and no bonding takes place between a surface coated with the adhesive and an uncoated surface. The preferred adhesive is a latex adhesive that will stick two surfaces together at any time up to about six months after it has been applied to the surfaces. The dispenser is fabricated as a flat sleeve and can be stored and shipped flat to an assembly plant, with the adhesively coated parts of the flaps out of registration and thus not stuck together. During assembly the sleeve is opened up, a roll of tape is inserted between the side walls, and the flaps are pressed together through the center of the roll and are thereby joined together by the self-sealing adhesive to constitute a spindle for rotatably supporting the roll.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tape dispenser loaded with a roll of tape;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a view of the paperboard blank from which the dispenser of FIG. 1 is fabricated;

FIG. 4 is a top view of a sleeve formed from the blank of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 5-5 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a similar view showinG an alternative construction;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an insert shown in FIG. 5; and

FIG. 8 is a similar view of an alternative insert of FIG. 6.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The paperboard tape dispenser of FIG. 1 has two side walls 1 and 2, a front end wall 3 and a rear end wall 4. It is open at the top and at the bottom. A reverse D- shaped flap 5a of the side 1 and an opposed similarly shaped flap 5b of the side 2 (see FIG. 2) are cemented together constituting a permanent rigid spindle 5. The spindle is located between the side walls and rotatably supports a roll Of adhesive tape 6 in the dispenser.

Referring to FIG. 2, the dispenser has an inner reinforcing compartment 7 of rectangular cross-section, defined by the front wall 3, by a transverse wall 8 intermediate of the end walls and by portions of the side walls 1 and 2 between the walls 3 and 8. The compartment 7 is in the shape of a rectangular tube and extends the full height of the dispenser and is open at the top and at the bottom. As shown in FIG. 1, a stiff insert 9 is inserted into the compartment from the top. The insert 9 will be described in detail later; suffice to say for now that it has a rectangular column 9a (FIG. 5) which fits snugly into the compartment 7. The top 9b of the insert 9 constitutes a cutting platform which has a ser rated cutting edge 96 along which a portion of the tape can be separated from the roll of tape 6. The top edges of the side walls 1 and 2 are indented at 10, allowing a portion of the tape lying between the cutting platform and the roll to be grasped from either side.

FIG. 3 illustrates a paperboard blank from which the dispenser of FIG. 1 can be made. The longer side of the blank extends in the direction of the grain of the paper.

This facilitates proper folding of the board during the forming of a sleeve now to be explained. Panels 1, 4, 2, 3, ll, 8 and 12 are separated by transverse scores 13 to 18, respectively. The panels 1 and 2 have flaps 5a and 5b, respectively, defined by arcuate cuts 19 and first transverse scores 20. Second transverse score lines 21 disposed internally of the flaps and terminating at the cuts 19 define end portions 5a and 5b, respectively, of the flaps. The flaps are disposed in mirror symmetry with respect to the longitudinal center line of the panel 4. The scores 18 and 21 are perforated to allow the board to break in reverse during assembly. Below the indented top edges 3a and 8a of the panels 3 and 8, rectangular windows 22 and 23 are provided.

To the surfaces shown in FIG. 3, latex adhesive (for example Industrial Adhesives Ltd. latex adhesive No. 1.3108) suitable for the bonding of paperboard is applied to the portions 5a and 5b. Glue conventionally used for the gluing of paperboard is applied to the panel 12. Then the part of the blank consisting of the panels 12, 8 and I1 is folded about the score 16 (in the direction towards the viewer in FIG. 3) so that the glued side of the panel 12 sticks to a strip 26 of the panel 2. Then glue is applied to a strip 24 of the panel 1 adjacent its edge 25, and the panels 1 and 4 are folded about the score 14 (in the direction towards the viewer in FIG. 3) causing the strip 24 to stick to the face of panel 11 opposite to that seen in FIG. 3 (panel 1 I having been turned over in the earlier folding about the score 16). The gluing and folding can be done on what is known in the trade as a straight line gluer. The

gluing and folding results in a flat sleeve collapsed about diagonally opposed edges 14 and 16. FIG. 4 illustrates this sleeve, partially opened to show the relationship of its parts. In the flat sleeve of FIG. 4 the coated parts 50' and 5b are out of registry and cannot bond to opposing uncoated portions of the panels 2 and 1, respectively, with which they are in contact. The flat sleeves can be stacked one on top of another, and can be stored that way for a long time and can be shipped to another location to be set up and loaded with rolls of tape. Because the sleeves may be stored for some time, the latex adhesive should be one that retains its bonding power, and that bonds immediately to another similarly coated surface when brought into contact therewith.

It is to be observed that since the coated parts 5a and 5b are not to be in contact with each other while the dispenser is in the form of a flat sleeve of FIG. 4, these parts should not be wider than the end walls, they would partially overlap (in the flattened condition of the sleeve) and bond together so that they could not thereafter be separated.

In the final step of making the dispenser of FIG. 1 the sleeve is opened up, the insert 9 is inserted into the compartment 7 and a roll of tape is placed between the sides 1 and 2, with the hollow core 6a of the roll encircling the flaps which now face each other across the roll. The flaps are now pressed inwardly from the side walls, the paperboard folding along the scores 20 and 21. The parts 5a and 5b are pressed against each other and are bonded together by the latex adhesive as hereinbefore explained and they constitute an intermediate wall between the side walls 1 and 2, the wall forming the spindle 5 of FIG. 1 which supports the roll and around which the roll can rotate when tape is dispensed. While the use of latex adhesive is preferred, the flaps 5a and 5b may be secured together in other ways.

For example, they may be coated with hot melt adhesives requiring the application of heat when they are brought together. Alternatively the flaps may be stapled or riveted together.

At the front end of the dispenser the walls 1, 2, 3 and 8 define the rectangular compartment 7 into which the stiff insert 9 can be inserted from the top. The insert is illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 7. It is preferably made of a single piece of moulded plastic material, for example polystyrene. Its rectangular column 9a is rounded at the bottom and is hollowed out to form two resilient fingers d. To press the insert into the compartment 7, the fingers 9d are squeezed together and the insert is pushed down until shoulders 9e on the fingers can snap outwardly into the windows 22 and 23, thereafter preventing the column 9a from moving lengthwise in the compartment. Shoulders 9f fit the indentations 3a and 8a. The rectangular column 9a coacts with the compartment 7 to stiffen and reinforce the dispenser and to keep its adjacent walls at right angles to each other. The length of the column can vary depending on the length of the compartment 7 and the amount of reinforcement required. The longer the column the better it reinforces the dispenser. A second rectangular insert can be pressed into the bottom of the compartment 7 if more reinforcement is needed.

The top 9b (see FIG. 7) of the insert 9 constitutes a cutting platform. At the front edge of the platform a row of trilateral pyramids having vertical front sides is raised above the surface. The vertices of the pyramids constitute a serrated cutting edge along which a portion of the tape can be severed from the roll. Such a pyramidal row is found to provide an excellent cutting edge for a great variety of tapes. As an alternative, a cutting platform can be provided by affixing a flat or corrugated sheet metal piece to the top of the column 9a, the metal piece having a serrated front edge constituting a cutting edge.

In another embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, a stiff insert 32 is formed from a strip of flexible sheet steel bent to an inverted U-shape. Spring tension of the steel forces dimples 33 into openings in the walls 3 and 8, and provides rigidity for the compartment by pressing the legs of the insert against the walls 3 and 8. The dimples prevent the insert 32 from moving. The flat top portion 34 constitutes a cutting platform. A serrated or straight transverse cut is made in the strip at 35, the edge 35 standing clear of the bent down front leg, forming a cutting edge.

It will be seen that the dispenser can accommodate rolls of tape of any width up to the width of the end walls 3, 4. The dispenser is open at the top and at the bottom, and this facilitates the fishing out of the end of the tape to lay it over the tape cutting insert 9.

The sleeve of FIG. 4 could of course be used as a container in which the coated parts of the flaps 5a and 5b are pressed together to constitute an intermediate wall between the side walls to provide a partition or an intermediate supporting or retaining member.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A paperboard dispenser comprising a pair of side walls, front and rear end walls, an inner compartment defined by the front end wall, by a transverse wall intermediate of the end walls and by portions of the side walls between said front and transverse walls, a stiff insert inserted in said compartment from the top to resist collapse thereof, tape cutting means supported by the insert and comprising a row of upright pyramids disposed at the top front edge of the insert, arcuate flaps cut out of the side walls and folded inwardly therefrom and having at least parts of their inner faces coated with a latex adhesive and pressed together between the side walls and thus joined together by the latex adhesive to constitute a spindle, and a roll of tape rotatably supported by the spindle, the dispenser being devoid of top and bottom walls thus making the roll of tape accessible from the top or the bottom, the top edges of the side walls being indented between the tape cutting means and the roll of tape to facilitate grasping the tape.

2. A paperboard dispenser for dispensing adhesive tape comprising a pair of side wails, front and rear end walls, an inner compartment defined by the front end wall, by a transverse wall intermediate of the end walls and by portions of the side walls between said front and transverse walls, a stiff insert in said compartment to prevent collapse thereof, tape cutting means supported by the insert, flaps extending inwardly from each side wall and fastened together to constitute a spindle, and a roll of tape rotatably supported by the spindle.

3. A paperboard dispenser for dispensing adhesive tape comprising side walls between which 'a roll of tape can be supported, a front wall extending between the side walls, a transverse wall spaced from the front wall and extending between the side walls and defining with the front and side walls a tubular compartment, a stiff insert in said tubular compartment to prevent collapse thereof, and tape cutting means supported by the insert tape cutting means and the roll of tape to facilitate grasping the tape manually to lay it over the tape cutting means.

6. A dispenser as claimed in claim 3 wherein the tape cutting means and the insert are made of one piece of material. 

1. A paperboard dispenser comprising a pair of side walls, front and rear end walls, an inner compartment defined by the front end wall, by a transverse wall intermediate of the end walls and by portions of the side walls between said front and transverse walls, a stiff insert inserted in said compartment from the top to resist collapse thereof, tape cutting means supported by the insert and comprising a row of upright pyramids disposed at the top front edge of the insert, arcuate flaps cut out of the side walls and folded inwardly therefrom and having at least parts of their inner faces coated with a latex adhesive and pressed together between the side walls and thus joined together by the latex adhesive to constitute a spindle, and a roll of tape rotatably supported by the spindle, the dispenser being devoid of top and bottom walls thus making the roll of tape accessible from the top or the bottom, the top edges of the side walls being indented between the tape cutting means and the roll of tape to facilitate grasping the tape.
 2. A paperboard dispenser for dispensing adhesive tape comprising a pair of side walls, front and rear end walls, an inner compartment defined by the front end wall, by a transverse wall intermediate of the end walls and by portions of the side walls between said front and transverse walls, a stiff insert in said compartment to prevent collapse thereof, tape cutting means supported by the insert, flaps extending inwardly from each side wall and fastened together to constitute a spindle, and a roll of tape rotatably supported by the spindle.
 3. A paperboard dispenser for dispensing adhesive tape comprising side walls between which a roll of tape can be supported, a front wall extending between the side walls, a transverse wall spaced from the front wall and extending between the side walls and defining with the front and side walls a tubular compartment, a stiff insert in said tubular compartment to prevent collapse thereof, and tape cutting means supported by the insert and over which tape can be pulled from the roll to dispense it.
 4. A dispenser as claimed in claim 2 wherein the dispenser is devoid of top and bottom walls, the roll of tape thereby being accessible from the top or the bottom of the dispenser.
 5. A dispenser as claimed in claim 4 wherein the top edges of the side walls have indentations between the tape cutting means and the roll of tape to facilitate grasping the tape manually to lay it over the tape cutting means.
 6. A dispenser as claimed in claim 3 wherein the tape cutting means and the insert are made of one piece of material. 